Play La Nivernaise Solitaire Online for Free
La Nivernaise is a classic French double-deck patience with hidden cards: ten tableau columns each receive two face-down rows followed by two face-up cards. Same-suit building and single-card movement apply throughout. The hidden rows add an element of discovery to the standard Napoleon formula, raising the win rate above Forty Thieves while keeping strategic depth.
What is La Nivernaise Solitaire?
La Nivernaise uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards). Ten tableau columns are dealt four cards each: the first two face-down, the last two face-up. That places 40 cards on the tableau and leaves 64 in the stock. Eight foundations (one per suit-deck combination) must be built from Ace up to King in suit. Tableau columns build down by the same suit; only one card at a time may be moved. One card is drawn at a time from the stock; no redeals.
What makes La Nivernaise distinctive
The two face-down rows per column set La Nivernaise apart from most Napoleon variants. When the two face-up cards in a column are removed, one face-down card is flipped, revealing new information. This information-discovery mechanic adds tension and planning complexity: you cannot know what lies beneath until you clear the top. The name comes from the Nivernais region of France, reflecting the French origin of many traditional patience games.
How to play La Nivernaise Solitaire
Rules and objective
Move all 104 cards to the eight foundation piles, each built from Ace to King in a single suit. A card may be placed on a tableau column if it is one rank lower and of the same suit as the current top card. Only one card at a time may be moved. Empty columns accept any single card. When all face-up cards in a column are removed, the top face-down card is flipped. Draw one card at a time from the stock; no redeals.
Game setup
- Shuffle two standard 52-card decks together (104 cards total).
- Deal two face-down cards then two face-up cards to each of ten columns.
- Reserve space above for eight foundation slots.
- Place the remaining 64 cards face-down as the stock.
Strategies to win La Nivernaise Solitaire
- Prioritise flipping face-down cards. Every face-down card is an unknown that could be the Ace or low-value card you need. Work to expose the face-down rows quickly so you can plan with full information.
- Avoid filling empty columns prematurely. An empty column is the only space where you can temporarily park a card while reorganising. If you fill it immediately you may be unable to flip the next face-down card.
- Same-suit discipline. La Nivernaise requires strictly same-suit tableau building. Track which suits are moving to foundations and which are stuck below face-down rows to forecast which columns to prioritise.
- Draw conservatively. The 64 stock cards are your reserve. Exhaust all useful tableau moves before drawing, since face-up tableau cards are often more flexible than a random stock draw.
La Nivernaise vs related Napoleon family games
| Game | Columns | Face-down rows | Build rule | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forty Thieves | 10 | 0 | Same suit | ~15% |
| La Nivernaise | 10 | 2 | Same suit | ~25% |
| Indian | 10 | 1 | Any except own suit | ~30% |
| Rank and File | 10 | 3 | Alt colour | ~35% |
La Nivernaise Solitaire FAQ
What does La Nivernaise mean?
La Nivernaise is the French adjective for things from the Nivernais (now Nievre) department in central France. Like many named patience games from the 19th century, the exact connection between the game and the region is uncertain. The name appears in several French and English patience compilations from the late 1800s onward.
When are face-down cards revealed?
A face-down card is flipped as soon as it becomes the top card of its column. This happens automatically when all face-up cards above it have been moved elsewhere or sent to foundations. You cannot skip or delay the flip.
Can I move sequences in La Nivernaise?
No. La Nivernaise follows the standard Napoleon single-card movement rule. Same-suit sequences accumulate on the tableau but each card must be moved individually. If you prefer sequence movement with face-down rows, try Rank and File Solitaire.